Columbia Center for Oral History

About the Oral History Archives

In a pathbreaking move that has strengthened CCOH, Columbia University Libraries recently partnered with the Interdisciplinary Center for Innovative Theory and Empirics (INCITE) in managing and administering the activities and programs of the CCOH. CCOHA (Archives) is focusing its energies on curatorial and archiving aspects of the CCOH mission and will devote attention to acquiring, processing, and making more generally available the rich set of resources that comprise the Oral History Archives, now housed in the Rare Book & Manuscript Library on Butler's 6th Floor. CCOHR (Research) is responsible for research, education, and outreach activities.

At the center of our work is our “living archive” of more than 8,000 aural and visual interviews that explore diverse topics in United States and global history. This living archive is housed in Columbia University Libraries' Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Our collection can be accessed via the Oral History Portal. Please consult our guide to "How to Use the Archives" to learn more about finding and accessing our Oral History Archives.

CCOHR continues to conduct innovative oral history research projects, which we add to our Oral History Archives and use as the basis for educational programs.

Please note that the Oral History Archives services and collections were recently relocated to the Rare Book & Manuscript Library (RBML) on the 6th floor of Butler Library.

The Columbia University Center for Oral History (CCOH) is one of the world’s leading centers for the practice and teaching of oral history. CCOH achieves its mission from the union of the Columbia Center for Oral History Research (CCOHR) and the Oral History Archives (CCOHA). Educational programs and active research projects in Oral History are administered by CCOHR, including a Master's Program, Interdisciplinary Opportunities, and Fellowships.

The Rule of Law Oral History Project

One of our newest oral history projects, The Rule of Law features digitally available transcripts of interviews on the topics of the death penalty and Guantanamo Bay.

The 9/11 Oral History Project

The September 11, 2001 Oral History Project consists of five projects and programs focusing on different areas of inquiry related to the aftermath of the destruction of the World Trade Center. September 2011 was the official opening of our September 11, 2001 Oral History Projects.

The Carnegie Corp. Oral History Project

When completed, the Carnegie Corporation Oral History Project will span the 100-year history of Carnegie’s philanthropic history. The Center for Oral History has conducted two previous oral histories of the Corporation; phase three focuses on grantmaking under the leadership of President Vartan Gregorian.